The Private Shop in Plymouth received an unexpected influx of new customers in July following the release of Pokémon Go. Pokémon Go is an augmented reality mobile game, which overlays computer imagery on top of footage captured from a smartphone’s camera and uses the in-built GPS to pinpoint the location. The aim is to catch, keep, train, and trade Pokémon (pocket monsters, if you are over 40 and wondering…) which are distributed randomly in real world locations.

Keen early adopters were playing the game before its official UK release, and a Private Shop staff member was quoted in the Evening Standard as saying: “There are people coming in talking about it. I didn’t know what they were talking about, as I’m not really into games.”

That preceding statement clearly does not apply to Australian firm Geeky Sex Toys, which acted commendably quickly to introduce a Pokémoan dildo range [pictured]. Retailing for $50-$69 (£25-£35 at the time of writing) the colourful silicone dildos have shapes and names – including Bulby, Charmy, Squirty, and Piky – inspired by the Japanese franchise. “Become the ultimate Pokémoan master with your new silicone friends,” the company says on its website (http://geekysextoys.com). “Let your imagination run wild as you play under the sheets.”

Geeky Sex Toys also offers products inspired by Game of Thrones and Star Wars, and its website’s About Us says: “As self-proclaimed geeks, our aim is to change the stigma around adult toys by re-imagining them in a fun and nerdy way. Combining pop culture with sex toys, we are creating a remarkably entertaining and pleasurable experience. We believe a sex toy shouldn’t just be a tool to get you off, it should be fun, entertaining and visually pleasing (as well as physically pleasing).”